Ezekiel 33

And God’s answer is: “Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” (verse 11). God wants people to turn; He wants them to live, not to die (see Ezekiel 18:21–23,30–32 and comment).

12–20 In these verses, God further expands on the exiles’ question: “How then can we live?” (verse 10). We “live” by choosing to act righteously day by day. True repentance (turning from evil) can outweigh a lifetime of evil deeds; willful disobedience, on the other hand, can outweigh a lifetime of good deeds. One’s former righteousness will not save him if, in the end, he turns from it (verse 12). It is important, therefore, that we end well; he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:7–8).

For further discussion of verses 12–20, see Ezekiel 18:24–29 and comment.

Jerusalem’s Fall Explained (33:21–33)

21–22 Five months after Jerusalem fell,⁷³ a man who had escaped—a fugitive (Ezekiel 24:26)—came to Ezekiel with news that the city had fallen. Then Ezekiel’s mouth was opened (see Ezekiel 3:26; 24:27).

23–29 The Lord tells Ezekiel that the Israelites who have survived the destruction of Jerusalem are still convinced that God will not take away their land (verse 24). But the Lord says that because they have broken His covenant⁷⁴ (verse 25), they shall certainly not possess the land (verse 26); instead, they will die by the sword, by wild animals, and by plague (verse 27). Then, when the Lord has made the land desolate, His purpose in judging the Israelites will be accomplished: “Then they will know that I am the LORD” (verse 29).

30–33 Here the Lord speaks words of reassurance to Ezekiel. The Lord knows that so far the exiled Israelites have not taken Ezekiel’s words to heart; they have not put them into practice (verse 31). With their mouths they express devotion to the Lord, but not with their hearts (see Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6; James 1:22–25). In fact, they have looked on Ezekiel as an entertainer, as a singer of songs (verse 32). But the next morning they are going to hear the news that Ezekiel has just heard: Jerusalem has fallen—just as Ezekiel had prophesied. Then the exiles would know that Ezekiel was a true prophet indeed! (verse 33).